Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Egg Tray for incubating and hatching eggs
Background
The present invention relates to a tray for containing a number of eggs in an
incubation chamber, the tray comprising a number of egg accommodation spaces
in
which space an egg is able to be hatched.
The present invention further relates to an assembly of a crate providing a
chicken accommodation space for hatching and rearing chicken and a said tray.
The present invention further relates to a method for hatching a number of
eggs
Such a tray is known from and holds in general as much eggs as possible to
utilize the capacity of a brooding machine or setter. It is known to arrange
an egg in a
hole in the bottom face of the tray. However these holes are not suitable for
allowing
passage for a chicken. Also, the egg will be held in the hole such that the
tray can be
manipulated e.g. tilted in the airflow. This means that in use of the tray,
the hole will be
closed off and remain closed off by the eggshell.
It is known to place trays in a stable for rearing chicken. However, such a
stable
does not provide ideal conditions for newly hatched chicken. In addition, the
chicken
need to climb over eggshells and/or other chicken to leave the tray. Also,
potentially all
chicken in the stable may contact the eggshells that are a potential source of
germs
and/or hurt themselves at the eggshells.
Hatcher baskets, like crates, for hatching/coming out of chickens are known.
An
important disadvantage of such a crate is that the eggshells pollute the
accommodation
wherein the hatched chicken live. These eggshells are a potential source of
germs. In
addition, the eggs and eggshells limit the walking space of the hatched
chicken.
U54398499A relates to a tray for poultry incubation and hatching. This known
tray is adapted to contain poultry eggs during both incubation and hatching.
Hatching machines are known as well e.g. from EP1104987 (B1). However these
machines do have the same disadvantage that the eggshells pollute the
accommodation
wherein the hatched chicken stay.
Method and Machines for initial rearing of chicken are known from EP2174081
Al. This machine provides a clean environment and optimal growing conditions
to
newly hatched chickens but without hatching the chickens.
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Summary of the invention
The invention aims to provide a tray for containing a number of eggs in an
incubation chamber, which tray enables not only to hold eggs but also to hatch
eggs
and separate the newly hatched chicken as soon as possible from eggshells
without
need for handling the chicken and/or the chicken leaving the incubation
chamber.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tray for containing
a
number of eggs in an incubation chamber, wherein the tray solves at least
partly a
problem associated with known trays.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an alternative tray for
containing
a number of eggs in an incubation chamber.
According to a first aspect of the invention this is realized with a tray for
containing a number of eggs in an incubation chamber, the tray comprising a
number of
egg accommodation spaces in which space an egg is able to be hatched, wherein
a first
egg accommodation space comprises, seen from the first egg accommodation
space, an
inwardly protruding member for supporting an egg in the first egg
accommodation
space and an outwardly protruding member for supporting an egg in an adjacent
egg
accommodation space. Because of the first egg accommodation space having an
inwardly protruding member for supporting an egg and an outwardly protruding
member for supporting an egg in an adjacent egg accommodation space, the tray
enables to provide a passage with a constant area as along the height of the
passage. In
practice this means that there is no narrowing experienced by a chicken
passing through
the passage. In addition, the inwardly and outwardly protruding members offer
freedom
to arrange the accommodation spaces in an efficient pattern, as each egg
accommodation space forms also a passage for chicks.
An egg accommodation space in which space an egg is able to be hatched means
that an egg is firmly held in said space such that the tray may be manipulated
in an
forced air flow in the incubation chamber. This handling, e.g. tilting of the
tray, is
common in industry during the logistic process of the tray filled with eggs,
in particular
during incubation, to ensure for example an even distribution of the air flow
around the
eggs over time. The incubation chamber is a room which is suitable to be
conditioned
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by a forced air flow such that e.g. temperature can be controlled with
accuracy of 0.5 or
even 0.1 C.
The invention is described referring to a first egg accommodation space and an
adjacent egg accommodation space. It will be clear that what is an inwardly
protruding
member in the first egg accommodation space, constitutes an outwardly
protruding
member in an adjacent egg accommodation space. A It will be apparent that
usually all
of the number of egg accommodation spaces of the tray are implemented
according to
the invention.
The first egg accommodation space comprises a passage through which a newly
hatched chicken may pass through the tray and enter a chicken accommodation
space
located below the tray, wherein the passage is at least delimited by the
inwardly
protruding member and the outwardly protruding member.
In particular, a number of egg accommodation spaces comprises a passage for
chicken. More particular, all of the number of egg accommodation spaces of the
tray
comprise a passage for newly hatched chicken. This way there is freedom to lay
the
eggs in a desired pattern and leave passages open where needed. Most likely a
desired
pattern involves that each egg accommodation space adjoins a passage for a
chicken.
This even more optimizes the transition of chicken from the tray to a chicken
accommodation space located below the tray.
In an embodiment of the tray the inwardly protruding member and the outwardly
protruding member comprise a curved surface, in particular a double curved
surface.
The curved surface provides a smooth contact area for a newly hatched chicken
when
passing through the passage, such that there is no harm for the chicken. The
double
curved surface of the inwardly protruding member is convex as seen from the
first egg
accommodation space, and the double curved surface of the outwardly protruding
member is concave as seen from the first egg accommodation space. In other
words,
one the one hand the protruding members function as support members for firmly
holding an egg and on the other hand the protruding members are configured
such that
a chicken may safely pass the protruding members without damage.
Preferably, the inwardly protruding member and the outwardly protruding
member have a similar, preferably identical configuration such that a cross
sectional
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area of the passage is essentially constant along a central axis of the first
egg
accommodation space. This realizes in practice that a chicken experiences no
narrowing when passing through the passage.
In an embodiment, the first egg accommodation space is delimited by a
circumferential wall which extends in circumferential direction around the
central axis
and has wall sections wherein the inwardly protruding member and the outwardly
protruding member are provided on different wall sections. In particular, each
wall
section is provided with one protrusion for supporting an egg. It may however
be
conceivable that a single wall section is provided with the inwardly
protruding member
and the outwardly protruding member. However important is that the inwardly
protruding member and the outwardly protruding member alternate with each
other
seen in the circumferential direction.
In an embodiment, the circumferential wall is provided with, as seen in the
circumferential direction, alternately the inwardly protruding member and the
outwardly protruding member.
In an embodiment, a wall section extends between the first accommodation space
and the adjacent egg accommodation space and separates said first and adjacent
egg
accommodation space. In particular, each wall section separates adjacent egg
accommodation spaces.
In an embodiment of the tray, the first egg accommodation space is delimited
by
six wall sections. In particular, all egg accommodation spaces are each
delimited by six
wall sections.
In an embodiment of the tray, wall sections of the six wall sections are
provided
with, as seen in the circumferential direction, alternately the inwardly
protruding
member and the outwardly protruding member.
In an embodiment of the tray, the passage is configured such that a chicken
may
pass the passage and an egg is not passable through the passage. This ensures
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separation of the eggs or eggshells form the chicken in their initial rearing
because eggs
and eggshells are left in the tray while chicken may pass through the passage
to a
chicken accommodation space located below the tray.
5 In an embodiment, the passage has an Y-shaped cross-section. This is
considered
an optimal shape with respect to a chicken because it enables to allow passage
of the
widest part of a chicken without requiring a great surface area for the
passage.
In an embodiment, the tray comprises a raised edge at the outline of the tray
for
keeping hatched chicken on the tray. It is noted that, in use, while keeping
hatched
chicken on the tray, the tray may contain a number of eggs that still have not
hatched.
In an embodiment, the tray is configured such that the tray is stackable for
providing a stack of a number of trays.
According to a further aspect of the invention this is realized with an
assembly of
a crate providing a chicken accommodation space for hatching and rearing
chicken and
a tray according to the invention arranged on top of the crate, the crate
having an open
top such that a chicken may enter the chicken accommodation space through the
passage. The crate is suitable to be placed in a conditioned space like a
hatcher and
takes advantage of the forced air flow in such a hatcher because of the open
structure of
the crate. In this case, the crate has a series of ventilation slits. Such a
crate or hatcher
basket has a bottom face and sidewalls for keeping chicken in the crate. The
bottom
face and sidewall provide the chicken accommodation space.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the tray is arranged on top of the crate in
a
removable manner. In particular, the crate comprises a tray receiving space
which is
suitable to receive the tray in a sliding manner. This way, a tray may be
easily slid from
one side of the crate above the chicken accommodation space of the crate, even
when
crates are stacked.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the crate and the tray are integrally
formed.
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In an embodiment of the assembly, the crate comprises a trough for containing
feed for chicken. This enables feeding of the chicken shortly after hatching
in the same
conditioned chamber without intervention by a chicken handling device or
operator.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the crate comprises at least one transparent
portion for observing the chicken and allowing light to enter the chicken
accommodation space.
According to a further aspect of the invention this is realized with a stack
of a
number of assemblies according to the invention. The crates including a tray,
are
suitable to be stacked and such a stack may be positioned in a conditioned
chamber.
According to a further aspect of the invention this is realized with a method
for
hatching a number of eggs, the method comprising the steps of:
¨ placing the eggs in a tray according to the invention,
¨ arranging the tray on top of a crate, which crate provides a chicken
accommodation space,
¨ incubating the eggs for a required brooding period until hatching occurs,
¨ passing of hatched chicken from the tray, through the passage and into
the
chicken accommodations space of the crate.
In an embodiment, the method comprises providing feed and/or water for the
hatched chicken in the chicken accommodation space of the crate.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:
¨ candling eggs in the tray for detecting non-hatchable eggs in the tray,
¨ removing detected non-hatchable eggs from their respective egg
accommodation spaces,
¨ passing of a newly hatched chicken through a passage that results from
the removing of the detected non-hatchable eggs from their respective
egg accommodation spaces.
Candling per se is a well known process in the field of hatching and
incubating
technology. Removing of a non-hatchable egg, which in itself is undesirable,
now
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beneficially provides a passage for a chicken. This way, the loadfactor of a
tray can
even more be improved.
The invention further relates to a device comprising one or more of the
characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the
attached
drawings.
The invention further relates to a method comprising one or more of the
characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the
attached
drawings.
The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to
provide
additional advantages.
Description of the drawings
The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment
shown in the drawing wherein shown in:
Fig. 1 in perspective view a tray according to the invention;
fig. 2 the tray according to fig. 1 in perspective view from the bottom;
fig. 3 atop view of the tray of fig. 1;
fig. 4 a bottom view of the tray of fig;
fig. 5 a detail of fig. 1;
fig. 6 a detail of fig. 2; and
fig. 7 a stack of assemblies of a crate and a tray according to the invention.
Detailed description of embodiments
The invention will be described referring to all figures. The invention is
described
referring to a first egg accommodation space 3. It will be clear that this can
be any
accommodation space of the tray 1. In the figures an embodiment of a tray 1
according
to the invention is shown. In use, the tray 1 contains a number of eggs 2. The
tray is for
use in an incubation chamber which is not shown. This is clear from e.g. the
plurality of
ventilation slits 13a, 13b that enable to impose a desired climate provided by
the
incubation chamber onto the interior of the tray 1. The tray 1 comprises a
number of
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separate egg accommodation spaces 3. In this space 3 the eggs are firmly held
such that
the eggs may be hatched in a controlled manner. Here, the eggs are firmly held
in a egg
accommodation space between a number of inwardly protruding members 4, in this
case three members 4 for each accommodation space 3. The inwardly protruding
member 4 and the outwardly protruding member 5 comprise a double curved
surface 6,
7. Therefore, eggs of different size can be accommodated in each egg
accommodation
space 3.
As can be best seen from fig. 5 and 6, the double curved surface 6 of the
inwardly
protruding member 4 is convex as seen from the first egg accommodation space
3. The
double curved surface 7 of the outwardly protruding member 5 is concave as
seen from
the first egg accommodation space 3. The inwardly protruding member 4 and the
outwardly protruding member 5 have an identical configuration. In view of the
thin-
walled structure of both the inwardly protruding member 4 and the outwardly
protruding member 5 this provides a cross sectional area of the passage that
is
essentially constant along the central axis 8 of the first egg accommodation
space 3.
The inwardly protruding member 4 and the outwardly protruding member 5 are
hollow
as seen from the bottom, see fig. 4, such that no dirt can accumulate during
use.
The first egg accommodation space 3 is delimited by a circumferential wall 9.
The wall 9 extends in circumferential direction around the central axis 8 of
the first egg
accommodation space 3. The wall 9 has wall sections 10, 11, in this case 6
wall
sections. Each egg accommodation space 3 has a hexagonal shape and therefore
individual egg accommodation spaces 3 connect seamlessly and provide a tray
with a
honeycomb pattern which is illustrated by a virtual grid 15 shown in fig. 3.
Each wall
section 10, 11 extends between the first accommodation space 3 and the
adjacent egg
accommodation space and separates said first and adjacent egg accommodation
space.
The wall sections 10, 11 of the wall 9 of the first egg accommodation space 3
blend
seamlessly into a lower edge 16 as shown in fig. 6. The lower edges 16 of
individual
accommodation spaces 3 build a regular pattern as can be seen in fig. 4.
In this case, each wall section 10, 11 is provided with a protruding member 4,
5.
The "inwardly" or "outwardly" is from perspective of an individual egg
accommodation space 3. In fact, adjacent egg accommodation spaces 3 share a
common protrusion 4, 5. The circumferential wall 9 is provided with, as seen
in the
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circumferential direction, alternately the inwardly protruding member 4 and
the
outwardly protruding member 5.
The inwardly protruding member 4 and the outwardly protruding member 5 are
integral with the circumferential wall 9. Here, the inwardly protruding member
4 and
the outwardly protruding member 5 blend seamlessly into a lower edge 16.
Each egg accommodation space 3 of the tray 1 has a passage 12 for a chicken
through which passage 12 a chicken hatched from an egg may pass through the
tray 1
and enter a chicken accommodation space (not shown) located below the tray 1.
The
passage 12 is defined by inwardly protruding members 4 and outwardly
protruding
members 5. The passage 12 is configured such that a chicken may pass the
passage 4
and an egg is not passable through the passage 12. When the first egg
accommodation
space 3 is occupied by an egg, the passage 12 is closed off to such an extent
that a
chicken is not able to pass through the passage 12 of the first egg
accommodation space
3. When no egg is present in the first egg accommodation space 3, a chicken is
able to
pass through the passage 12 of the first egg accommodation space 3.
The tray comprises a raised edge 14 at the outline of the tray 1 for keeping
hatched chicken on the tray 1. As the egg accommodation space 3 comprises a
passage
12 for a chicken, a left open, that is not filled with an egg, egg
accommodation space
functions, in use, as a passage. The inwardly protruding members 4 and
outwardly
protruding members 5 are configured such that a chicken may safely pass said
support
member without damage.
Fig. 7 shows a stack of assemblies of a crate 17 and a tray 1 according to the
invention. The tray 1 is schematically shown here, without any details. The
crate 17
provides a chicken accommodation space for hatching and rearing chicken. The
tray 1
is arranged on top of the crate 17. Therefore, the crate has an open top such
that a
chicken may enter the chicken accommodation space through the passage. The
crate 17
is suitable to be placed in a conditioned space like a hatcher and takes
advantage of the
forced air flow in such a hatcher because of the open structure of the crate.
In this case,
the crate has a series of ventilation slits. Such a crate or hatcher basket
has a bottom
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face and sidewalls for keeping chicken in the crate. The bottom face and
sidewall
provide the chicken accommodation space.
Here, the tray 1 is arranged on top of the crate 17 in a removable manner.
5 During use of the tray 1 in assembly with a crate 17, the following steps
are taken
for hatching a number of eggs:
¨ placing the eggs in a tray 1 which tray comprises at least one passage 12
for a
chicken through which passage 12 a chicken may pass through the tray 1 and
enter a chicken accommodation space located below the tray 1,
10 ¨ arranging the tray 1 on top of a crate, which crate provides a chicken
accommodation space,
¨ brooding the eggs for a required brooding period until hatching occurs,
¨ passing of hatched chicken from the tray 1, through the passage 12 and
into the
chicken accommodations space of the crate.
It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included
to
illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of
protection.
Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a
skilled
person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this
invention and
which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of
this
patent.
